“Prof Dr K Srinath Reddy will advise the state government on proper implementation and smooth delivery of the ongoing health service programmes so as to better the indicators,” a release from the CMO said.

The eminent cardiologist, epidemiologist and president of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) would be accorded the rank of a cabinet minister in the state.

Reddy, a Padma Bhusan awardee, was the former head of the Department of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, the release said.